BETTE DILLEHAYDIRECTOR
MATHEWS MEMORIAL LIBRARYMATHEWS, VIRGINIA
Library as Community CentreEngaging Local Government
Managers as Library Partners
• 8,400 Square Feet
• 4,112 Linear Feet Shelving
• 39,522 Items
Where the Mobjack Bay meets the Chesapeake Bay
About Mathews County
Square Miles, 84
Miles of Shoreline, 210
Population, 9,200
Lighthouses, 2
Bridges, 3
Traffic Lights, 0
About Mathews County
Residents of Mathews have historicallybeen connected to the surrounding waters - harvesting fish, oysters, clams and crabs for a livelihood.
About Mathews County
“A Popular Retirement Destination”
ICMA’s Local Government and Public Libraries Partnership Initiative
Explore The role of city and county managers as
advocates for libraries –
The relationship of libraries to quality of life and community sustainability.
ICMA Project Goal
Support a dialog which could increase awareness
among managers and other local government officials
of the value of public libraries in the community.
Talking About the Future
Planning the Direction of Your Community
MCSEED
Mathews Memorial Library
Governance Models
County/City AgencySeparate Authority/BoardRegional EntityContract Services
Library Assets
Information/KnowledgeCulture ConnectionsTechnology ResourcesCommunity SpaceLocal Economy ConnectionsCommunity Ownership
Service Roles
Knowledge GatewayUniversal ServiceNeutral Haven Cultural Center
Local Government Role In Supporting Libraries
Ensure that the library has a mission and programs that are consistent with community and local government mission and values.
Facilitate aligning the library’s efforts with broader community needs.
Include the library director on the management team.
Include libraries in master planning and strategic planning.
Ensure that libraries are fairly and objectively considered during the budget process and allocation of resources.
Look for ways to integrate library staff with other municipal and county staff.
Facilitate a dialogue and shared understanding on what is excellence for the library.
Keep libraries in mind!
Steps Toward An Engaged Library
Ensure that library mission is consistent with that of local government.
Get outside the doors.
Be creative about what the library can contribute.
Discover and contribute to the unique capacities and conditions of the community.
Support local businesses and institutions.
Make the library building a community center.
Create a community-minded culture among library staff and volunteers.
Making Good Things Happen
“Equal effort is required on the part of localgovernment and library in improving the
quality ofcitizens’ lives and increasing opportunities for
all.”
Pete Giacoma, DirectorDavis County Library, Utah
E-Government: The Future Is Today
E-Government and Public Libraries: Current Status,Meeting Report, Findings, and Next Steps
Charles R. McClure, Director, Information Institute Francis Eppes, ProfessorJessica McGilvray & Kristin M. Bartin, Research Associates,
Information InstituteJohn Carlo Bertot, Associate Director, Information Institute
http://www.ii.fsu.edu
Public Libraries As E-Government Partners
“For an e-government service provision partnershipbetween government agencies and public libraries
tobe successful and of continuing benefit to clients inthe future, cooperative funding strategies foradditional technology, as well as staff training, mustbecome a high priority issue in communities across
thecountry.”
Robert Davidsson, ManagerGovernment Research Service Section
Library System, Palm Beach County Florida
The Future
“The very existence of libraries affords us the best
evidence that we may yet have hope for the future of
civilization.”T. S. Eliot
The Engaged Library
URBAN LIBRARIES COUNCIL2005
The Engaged Library
URBAN LIBRARIES COUNCIL2005
The Engaged Library
URBAN LIBRARIES COUNCIL2005
The Engaged Library
URBAN LIBRARIES COUNCIL2005
The Engaged Library
URBAN LIBRARIES COUNCIL2005
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